Effects of 5-week detraining period on body composition of professional soccer players

Purpose. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of five weeks detraining period on body composition changes in elite professional Indonesian male soccer players. Material and methods. The body composition of 24 top-level male soccer players (age: 26.33 ± 4.06 years) competing in First League of Indonesia was measured before and after the 5-weeks detraining period. Body composition variables, including body mass, body fat percentage, fat-free mass, and total body water percentage, were measured using the bioelectrical impedance method. The results. The paired samples T-test showed significant changes in the means of body composition variables for body fat percentage, fat-free mass, and total body water percentage. Mean values for body fat percentage increased during the detraining period from 10.87 ± 2.47% to 11.98 ± 2.75% (10.3%). A decrease in mean values for fat-free mass (61.34 ± 5.74 kg to 59.80 ± 6.22; 2.49%) and total body water percentage (from 65.13 ± 1.84% to 64.40 ± 1.99%; 1.12%) was observed. No significant changes occurred in body mass (from 69.05 ± 8.07 kg to 69.05 ± 8.48 kg; 0.04%) from initial to final testing. Conclusions. Since there was a significant difference in body fat percentage, fat-free mass, and total body water percentage% before and after detraining period., it is suggested that 5 weeks of detraining period. for the professional soccer players may not be necessary, and the duration should be shortened to maintain body composition status.